Urban Development

Cleveland Turns Its Focus Uptown

Cleveland, suffering from a disappearing population, is pinning its hopes on a new Uptown arts and entertainment district, including the new Museum of Contemporary Art which opens in 2012.

December 21, 2011 - The New York Times

Homebuyers Have "Conflicting Expectations"

In an article primarily featuring a couple who designed and built a 560 sq ft home, a developer says that homebuyers say they want smaller homes but still want big bedrooms.

December 21, 2011 - The Houston Chronicle

You've Come a Long Way, Levittown

As a part of its series on the changing face of the suburbs, CNN considers the transformation of the suburban prototype, Levittown.

December 21, 2011 - CNN

Brownfields to Green Golf Courses in Michigan

A former industrial corridor in Benton Harbor, Michigan is being transformed into a resort community complete with golf course.

December 20, 2011 - The New York Times

14 Unusual "Pop-Up Shops"

The temporary shop, formerly the type of thing one would only see at the holidays - think fireworks, or Christmas trees - is now hot.

December 20, 2011 - Top Pop-Up Shops

Washington Navy Yard Projects Getting Dusted Off

Developers who held out through the recession are finally getting back to moving their projects for the Washington, DC Navy Yard. Jonathan O'Connell reports.

December 18, 2011 - The Washington Post

Skyscraper District Faces Real Estate Board Opposition

The plan to historically designate downtown Brooklyn's skyscrapers, which has been approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, is facing backlash from the city's Real Estate Board.

December 17, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

China's Abandoned "Wonderland"

Once billed as China's answer to Disneyland, the now-rusting ruins of Wonderland attest to the unsustainability of China's development industry.

December 16, 2011 - yahoo! Finance

Lawyers Call for Zoning Changes in NYC

The NYC Bar Association Committee advocates making amendments to the city's the current Zoning Resolution to make the city more sustainable.

December 16, 2011 - This Big City

IKEA to Build A Neighborhood

International company IKEA, known for their low-cost design furniture, will develop a 26-acre complete London neighborhood.

December 16, 2011 - The Pop-Up City

Federal HOME Program Suffers From Lack of Oversight

West Palm Beach is demanding millions of dollars of one organization to correct greedy actions under HUD's HOME program. Kimberly Miller reports on how this is just the latest incident in an "easy to game" federal program.

December 16, 2011 - The Palm Beach Post

The Benefits of Urban Forests

Poor air quality has led to an explosion of a health problems among vulnerable populations, claims the American Society of Landscape Architects. This video explains how urban forests provide environmental benefits to densely populated cities.

December 15, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

How Planning is Like Growing Tomatoes

An organic system is rarely the sum of its parts. Nothing demonstrates this as clearly as sinking your teeth into a store-bought tomato, writes Ben Brown.

December 15, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Columbia Pike Streetcar is the Better Design

According to Miles Grant, "the streetcar is a relative bargain purely on the basis of direct cost per estimated user, not even including the external costs of sprawl and pollution that new and improved highways engender."

December 15, 2011 - Greater Greater Washington

Redevelopment Project Across from Wrigley Field

According to Tribune staff reporter Ameet Sachdev, "owners of the Chicago Cubs bought property across the street from Wrigley Field from McDonald's Corp. for $20 million, expanding their opportunities to redevelop areas around the stadium."

December 15, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Folding Bikes Gain Popularity in Brazil

Maria Fernanda Cavalcanti, a resident of Brazil, writes that folding bicycles "...have been catching the attention of urban cyclists everywhere."

December 14, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

NYC Gets to Work on "Green Zoning" Rules

New York has created new zoning rules, now officially under review for approval, that combat the current zoning's sometimes impeding effect on green building.

December 14, 2011 - Crain's New York Business

Debating Urban Transit Tax Credits

New Jersey's Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit provided $1.5 billion in incentives for 13 projects, garnering mixed opinions over the past two years. Intended to build communities a half mile from transit, some question if it even works.

December 14, 2011 - NJ Spotlight

LA Artist Reopens Derelict JC Penney As Art Complex

An LA based artist is about reopen a 100,000 square foot disused JC Penney as an arts complex in West Houston. The former West Oaks Mall anchor had been vacant for two years before becoming the focus of the new rehab concept.

December 13, 2011 - Swamplot.com

Manhattan's Far West Side Rises From Olympic Disappointment

A vibrant neighborhood is rising on Manhattan's far west side, where the Stadium and complex would have been built as proposed by the New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

December 12, 2011 - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.